MINI Paceman gets very minor facelift, Beijing debut

Hot on the heels of the Countryman facelift introduced at the New York International Auto Show (NYIAS) is the nipped-and-tucked MINI Paceman, which made its debut in Beijing. Like the Countryman, the updates to the “Sports Activity Coupé” are of the blink-and-you’ll-miss-it variety.

In fact, as far as we can tell, there doesn’t seem to be any sheetmetal changes to the car whatsoever, missing out even on the Countryman’s new silver underride bumper guards. The only exterior changes are the “S” badge on the grille on Cooper S and SD models, a new grille with a red rib and “John Cooper Works” badge on the JCW, optional LED fog lights and new lighter alloy wheels with low rolling resistance tyres.

Interior revisions are similarly minor – like the Countryman, all variants now get JCW-esque anthracite instrument dials (to differentiate itself from the rest of the range, the JCW now gets special badging on the dials) and chrome air vent surrounds. That’s it.

More significant are the improvements made under the skin. The Paceman gets the Countryman’s efficiency upgrades, including optimised underbody ducting and wheel bearings with a lower friction coefficient. Together with the aforementioned low rolling resistance tyres, they combine to improve acceleration, top speed, fuel consumption and carbon dioxide emissions across the range. All engines now comply with more stringent Euro 6 emissions standards.

The Cooper S model’s turbocharged Prince 1.6 litre inline-four now produces 190 hp, six more than before. The 0-100 km/h sprint time has now been reduced by 0.1 seconds to 7.4 seconds, while top speed is up 3 km/h to 220 km/h. Mid-range punch has been improved too, with 80-120 km/h in fifth gear now done in 8.3 seconds (0.2 seconds quicker than before) while combined fuel consumption is reduced to 6.0 litres per 100 km.

Similar improvements in performance have also been done to the JCW – the car now does 0-100 km/h in 6.9 seconds, 80-120 km/h in 7.6 seconds and 229 km/h, all while sipping less fuel than before (combined, it uses 7.1 litres per 100 km).

After trying to pursue a career in product design, Jonathan Lee decided to make the sideways jump into the world of car journalism instead. He therefore appreciates the aesthetic appeal of a car, but for him, the driving experience is still second to none.

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